Memories of Elkland, the 2010 edition
The pressure is on as this is my most anticipated post of the fastball season - the fourth annual "Memories of Elkland", 2010 version. As always, names withheld to protect the guilty.
The competition: There were 15 teams, once again with a mix of locals, intermediate and senior teams that you just don't get anywhere else. I guess they were up to around 20 at one point but a bunch dropped out. With the great prize money, the reasonable entry fee ($250 US American dollars) and the excellent venue it's damn near shocking to me that more teams don't go.
Some teams had a bit of a tough first round draw, but what can you do? Shaggy Dog got the bye, and I can't see anyone seriously arguing with that. The Sunday night game under the lights once again featured the ESA host team, this year versus Kars Aces. To call the crowd 'vocal' would be an understatement - 'raucous' might be a better word - and it was lots of fun for players and spectators alike to be part of. The cackling laugh of one specific area player could be heard far and wide across Field 1 on that night.
As far as teams that weren't there, one surprise this year - no Keeneyville! Guys, c'mon. You're 10 miles from Elkland - get back there in 2011 in those fancy uniforms that you now have!
The venue: I know I sound like a broken record, but it really is a special place to play ball, with Molly's Red Barn, the grandstand, the painted up sponsorship logos on the outfield fences, the well maintained fields, the fans, the $2 pints, the chicken dinner.
All the little (and big) things they do right - the clean facilities, the free camping, the friendly volunteers, having the draw available as a handout for fans, the announcers, the reasonable prices and so on.
A special addition this year is the Durk Sherman Memorial Building built along the left field line. Chock full of memorabilia, it's a great spot to spend some time to get a feel of the history of the place.
If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes: The weather was decent, not as perfect as last year but still good. Saturday was especially interesting as I think it went from sunny to windy to rainy and back through the cycle about 4 times.
It's cool at nights in them thar hills so if you go - check that WHEN you go - bring your woolies!
Rookies: This year's crop of Elkland rookies were once again impressive.
One rookie was not only was one for one at the plate in his first game, but according to reports also went "two for two", if you will, at the Moose based on his performance on Friday and Saturday night.
Another rookie had trouble finding his way home from the Moose to the campground - and ended up spending the night in a school bus parked in someone's driveway!
Accommodations and antics: In the spirit of continuous improvement our team upgraded to three camper trailers onsite at the ball diamond. We've learned our lessons well, and brought new and improved supplies, coordinated our grocery purchases and had a pretty sweet site on the go. We also proved that yes indeed it is possible for one man to smoke an entire carton of duty free cigarettes on his own during one long weekend ball tournament.
Given the proximity to all the important things - ball diamonds, the Moose, the Acorn - what more could you want? Plenty of other folks agree as the site was plugged with campers. With no fee to camp, power hook ups and water, the ESA looks after its patrons.
As in other years, the antics of our crew and others was amusing (well amusing at least to other campers, maybe not to the grumpy neighbour). I think the highlight for us was the Elkland Ironman Triathlon which consists of three critical components. 1) Marathon drinking, which consists of sitting around on lawnchairs slamming beer and depositing the cans onto the grass. 2) Placing the cans into a large carton, then playing rapid fire batting practice tossing said empty cans to a willing batter. For maximum effect put in a mystery full beer unbeknownst to the batter in the middle of the lot. 3) Finally, take all empty cans and place into a large pile known as the "pool". Jump bellyflop style into the cans and simulate swimming. Ladies and gentlemen, somebody call the Redneck Games, we have a new sport on our hands!
Good ol' Jesse: Faithful blog readers will recall that West Carleton Electric has employed the services of the same Elkland bat boy since 2007. Good old Jesse had his previously acquired WC ballcap firmly stuck on his head and welcomed us warmly on Friday night with a series of high fives and hugs, remembering everyone's name. I'm thinking that this is a serious highlight in Jesse's year which is kind of cool since it's a highlight in ours too. We caught up on all his news and he seemed to take our advice from last year - he's joining the Army and he didn't get his girlfriend pregnant which were our two main suggestions for him to succeed in life in 2009!
Language lessons: You might not think that you could heard different languages spoken other than standard US English in northern rural Pennsylvania and for 51 weekends a year you'd probably be correct. However, for one weekend, Elkland turns into a melting pot of cultures. You might hear locals like Dex greeting each other with "Yo, dude!". Or, if near a few Canadians from up our way "How's she goin' lads!". The Kiwis there greet familiar faces with a "G'day mate!". And the Dominican players on Shaggy Dog can be heard to say "Ola amigo, que pasa?". The Newfie Lowland Gorilla will often come out with a "Hey buddy, how's the missus?" But one phrase that's common to all - "Gimme a chicken!" at the pit once they're ready.
The Moose: If you've been to Elkland, you know about the Moose. If you haven't, let me reiterate it's pretty much worth the trip on it's own. Legendary is not too mild a term for this place. There's something about the vibe there - everyone's having fun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No need for security because there is never any trouble despite the seriously intoxicated patrons. $2 beer, $25 pitchers of rye and Coke, and people from uh....21 because they wouldn't let anyone underage in, no sirree, all the way up to folks in their 70s. All in the house smiling, laughing, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. What a spot.
It's so different from our bars in Ontario. They'd be shut down by the liquor inspector in about 14 seconds if they allowed half the things that go on at the Moose.
One piece of advice though for at least one of the local Moose patrons: if you have limited funds and it's a choice between a new tattoo or looking after your oral hygiene, honestly go for the dental work. I insist!
The conclusion: If you haven't been, you really have to go. Anyone that loves fastball needs to make the trip. Let's get Billy 24 teams next year!
One more Elkland item to follow.....
The competition: There were 15 teams, once again with a mix of locals, intermediate and senior teams that you just don't get anywhere else. I guess they were up to around 20 at one point but a bunch dropped out. With the great prize money, the reasonable entry fee ($250 US American dollars) and the excellent venue it's damn near shocking to me that more teams don't go.
Some teams had a bit of a tough first round draw, but what can you do? Shaggy Dog got the bye, and I can't see anyone seriously arguing with that. The Sunday night game under the lights once again featured the ESA host team, this year versus Kars Aces. To call the crowd 'vocal' would be an understatement - 'raucous' might be a better word - and it was lots of fun for players and spectators alike to be part of. The cackling laugh of one specific area player could be heard far and wide across Field 1 on that night.
As far as teams that weren't there, one surprise this year - no Keeneyville! Guys, c'mon. You're 10 miles from Elkland - get back there in 2011 in those fancy uniforms that you now have!
The venue: I know I sound like a broken record, but it really is a special place to play ball, with Molly's Red Barn, the grandstand, the painted up sponsorship logos on the outfield fences, the well maintained fields, the fans, the $2 pints, the chicken dinner.
All the little (and big) things they do right - the clean facilities, the free camping, the friendly volunteers, having the draw available as a handout for fans, the announcers, the reasonable prices and so on.
A special addition this year is the Durk Sherman Memorial Building built along the left field line. Chock full of memorabilia, it's a great spot to spend some time to get a feel of the history of the place.
If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes: The weather was decent, not as perfect as last year but still good. Saturday was especially interesting as I think it went from sunny to windy to rainy and back through the cycle about 4 times.
It's cool at nights in them thar hills so if you go - check that WHEN you go - bring your woolies!
Rookies: This year's crop of Elkland rookies were once again impressive.
One rookie was not only was one for one at the plate in his first game, but according to reports also went "two for two", if you will, at the Moose based on his performance on Friday and Saturday night.
Another rookie had trouble finding his way home from the Moose to the campground - and ended up spending the night in a school bus parked in someone's driveway!
Accommodations and antics: In the spirit of continuous improvement our team upgraded to three camper trailers onsite at the ball diamond. We've learned our lessons well, and brought new and improved supplies, coordinated our grocery purchases and had a pretty sweet site on the go. We also proved that yes indeed it is possible for one man to smoke an entire carton of duty free cigarettes on his own during one long weekend ball tournament.
Given the proximity to all the important things - ball diamonds, the Moose, the Acorn - what more could you want? Plenty of other folks agree as the site was plugged with campers. With no fee to camp, power hook ups and water, the ESA looks after its patrons.
As in other years, the antics of our crew and others was amusing (well amusing at least to other campers, maybe not to the grumpy neighbour). I think the highlight for us was the Elkland Ironman Triathlon which consists of three critical components. 1) Marathon drinking, which consists of sitting around on lawnchairs slamming beer and depositing the cans onto the grass. 2) Placing the cans into a large carton, then playing rapid fire batting practice tossing said empty cans to a willing batter. For maximum effect put in a mystery full beer unbeknownst to the batter in the middle of the lot. 3) Finally, take all empty cans and place into a large pile known as the "pool". Jump bellyflop style into the cans and simulate swimming. Ladies and gentlemen, somebody call the Redneck Games, we have a new sport on our hands!
Good ol' Jesse: Faithful blog readers will recall that West Carleton Electric has employed the services of the same Elkland bat boy since 2007. Good old Jesse had his previously acquired WC ballcap firmly stuck on his head and welcomed us warmly on Friday night with a series of high fives and hugs, remembering everyone's name. I'm thinking that this is a serious highlight in Jesse's year which is kind of cool since it's a highlight in ours too. We caught up on all his news and he seemed to take our advice from last year - he's joining the Army and he didn't get his girlfriend pregnant which were our two main suggestions for him to succeed in life in 2009!
Language lessons: You might not think that you could heard different languages spoken other than standard US English in northern rural Pennsylvania and for 51 weekends a year you'd probably be correct. However, for one weekend, Elkland turns into a melting pot of cultures. You might hear locals like Dex greeting each other with "Yo, dude!". Or, if near a few Canadians from up our way "How's she goin' lads!". The Kiwis there greet familiar faces with a "G'day mate!". And the Dominican players on Shaggy Dog can be heard to say "Ola amigo, que pasa?". The Newfie Lowland Gorilla will often come out with a "Hey buddy, how's the missus?" But one phrase that's common to all - "Gimme a chicken!" at the pit once they're ready.
The Moose: If you've been to Elkland, you know about the Moose. If you haven't, let me reiterate it's pretty much worth the trip on it's own. Legendary is not too mild a term for this place. There's something about the vibe there - everyone's having fun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No need for security because there is never any trouble despite the seriously intoxicated patrons. $2 beer, $25 pitchers of rye and Coke, and people from uh....21 because they wouldn't let anyone underage in, no sirree, all the way up to folks in their 70s. All in the house smiling, laughing, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. What a spot.
It's so different from our bars in Ontario. They'd be shut down by the liquor inspector in about 14 seconds if they allowed half the things that go on at the Moose.
One piece of advice though for at least one of the local Moose patrons: if you have limited funds and it's a choice between a new tattoo or looking after your oral hygiene, honestly go for the dental work. I insist!
The conclusion: If you haven't been, you really have to go. Anyone that loves fastball needs to make the trip. Let's get Billy 24 teams next year!
One more Elkland item to follow.....
Labels: Elkland, Tournament
posted by fitzroyfastball | 9/07/2010 09:41:00 pm
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